Master Woodlands

[Phil]

I'm just wondering how many of you have Master Woodlands Programs in your states.  Frank, I know when we spoke you told me about the one in Oregon.  It sounded like it was going pretty strong.  I'm currently taking Kentucky's Master Gardner Program, and I thought it'd be great if we could get a Woodlands Program started, too.

Phil

[Frank_Pender]

Yes, Phil it is a great program.  I went through the rpogram here in Oregon about 10 years ago.  Out of the 22 in the class there are still about 8 of us still operating.  And, my tri-county area just graduated another 24 this last week.  One of which was a member from the first class, 10 years back. We The new class had several married couples take the class.  Some of which were also good friends.   At the recent graduation we were told that the program is getting started in Minnisota or Michigan, as well asthe program beginning shortly in Chili and is underway in Thailand.  It all began with three foresters, two of which are  good friends, siting around a table one morning, drinking Coffee.   Sometimes good ideas come from consuming that stuff.    I would suggest that you get in contact with Trish Trueax at Oregon State University Outreach program.  (She is one of my students from many moons ago)  ph:1-541-737-6702.  I will get here e-mail address for you a bit later.  

[Texas Ranger]

We have the program in Texas, and actively sell the idea.

[Frank_Pender]

I appologize, Don.  I was not informed of you folks having the program in you state.  There could well be some more that I am not aware of.   :'(

[Ron Wenrich]

I ran a search on the Master Woodlands program and came up with them in Iowa and British Columbia.  Maryland has a Master Loggers program, but that is not geared towards the landowner.

It sounds like a really good program that gives landowners hands on knowledge and experience.  This is better than the other educational programs out there.

What is covered in one of these courses?  What is the average size landowner?

[Frank_Pender]

Ron, what is/was covered in the last class in my three county extensions area was far more detailed than what I had gone through 10 years ago.  Everything from soils types and analysis to dommon diseases for our area.  Water quality is still a massive issue that is covered.  Species identification was one that was covered quite well this last time.  Not just timber species but wide varities of understory species as well.  Another thing that is beingcovered more is secondary forestry products and uses.  Ferns for example, can be marketed for floral purposes as well as landscaping.  Ther was a very indepth class or two on mapping of species as well as the growth rates of a stand.  Even some of that heavy stuff that Tillaway gets himself involved in was covered.  the classes lasted approximately 8 months for all day sessions once or twice a month and many tours on weekends.  I even tought a couple of sssions on marketing of timber species aside from more popular firs, as well and some different logging techniques in our area.  The last class had a Sister from an Abby taking the class to help them learn to manage a parcel of timberland that they own.  The regular issues of site prep and planting was covered of course.   The class has a number of guest speakers come from the Foresty Department on the Oregon State University campus that are specialists such as in the areas op estate planning and taxes.  One of the topics that has been proposed to be included this next time was land use issues.   This one is a very BIG item for land owners here in the state of Oregon.  With the "Peoples Republics of Eugene and Portland", strongly dictating what happens in the hinterlands large and small land owners are in need of better understanding of how to deal with such concerns.  As to the sizes of land parcels that the participants have, it will vary from as small as 5 acres to sevral hundred.  In the class I took we had 22 students, 4 couples and land sizes were from 5 acres to 450.   In the last class I know there were some with 5 and up to 500.  I will try to get in contact with the instructor/extension agent today for contact purposes, if you wish.

[Ron Wenrich]

Thanks for the info Frank.  Here is why I ask.

My state is finally getting around to recognizing that there is a problem with management on private lands.  They are trying to get input at the county level and take a regional approach.

I was at the local meeting.  It ended up having about 10 people there.  No one from industry was represented (I am not an industry guy).  There were several consultants, who were basically trolling for clients.  And there were about 3 landowners.  

By the time it's all said and done, they will come up with another "educational" system that won't even get close to the landowners.  They'll have some meetings and throw at some buzz words and phrases.  The beauracracy will feel like they have done something with taxpayer's dollars and it will be called a success.  And, nothing will happen at the landowner level.  It never has.

Your Master Woodland Program sounds like it is a lot more advanced than anything I have seen.  Lots of people would like the tree id, and other things associated with the woodlots.  Maybe not go the full monty on the program, but parts of it.

Is there any fee for your program?

[Frank_Pender]

The only fee involved, was we all have had to agree to pay back in hours helping other small woodlot owners with the skills we have learned.  We have become an extension of the University Extension Service out of OSU (Oregon).  For my class it was 80 hours due to the eighty hours of seat time we put in over a oone year period of time.  I am not sure as to how much time was required of the latest class.  I have somewhere well over 1,000 hours I am sure.

[Phil]

Ron,

I see something similar in eastern Kentucky.  The Division of Forestry has such a high turnover of foresters (and I was one) that it's difficult to maintain a strong stewardship program.  Some progress has been made in recent years, but still, demand for forestry assistance is small compared to the private forest coverage here.

I would assume that a Master Woodlands Program would be an ideal way to keep things steady.  The landowners would have a local to approach, rather than an outsider, and there would be somebody here between the exit of one forester and the entrance of another.

Phil